Chronic Opisthorchiasis - Symptoms And Methods Of Struggle

2023 Author: Riley Dean | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 09:15

Symptoms of chronic opisthorchiasis, treatment methods

Content

• 1 Symptoms
• 2 Development mechanism
• 3 Diagnostics
• 4 Drug treatment
• 5 Therapeutic diet
• 6 Prevention

Chronic opisthorchiasis - helminthiasis, the cause of which is infection with a cat fluke. The disease becomes chronic, in which case the liver, gallbladder and pancreas are affected. If you start treatment in a timely manner, the risk of complications will be minimal.

Studies have shown that ignoring this disease can cause primary liver or pancreatic cancer.

Symptoms

At the initial stages, it is rather difficult to diagnose manifestations of chronic opisthorchiasis. Pathology may not manifest itself with any distinctive symptoms for a long time.

Most often, people learn about their disease by the following signs:

1. Severe headache, insomnia;
2. Nervous irritation, mood swings;
3. Inhibited state;
4. High body temperature;
5. Yellowing of the skin, sclera of the eyes;
6. Soreness in the abdomen;

7. Nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite.

   

The disease can be present in the body for several decades, while a person may not even be aware of its presence. Due to the lack of full-fledged treatment in the body, gastritis, ulcers, and intestinal problems can develop. In rare cases, a person is faced with manifestations of cholecystitis and even lesions of the heart muscle.

Development mechanism

Due to the chronic form of opisthorchiasis, a person may face serious disturbances in the functioning of the body. Usually pathology develops as follows:

• The suckers and forceps of helminths have a toxic and irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the gallbladder;
• In the cavity of the gallbladder, obstacles form in the form of a large accumulation of parasites;

• Due to the negative influence of helminths, nerves are irritated.

  

Due to the above negative factors, the production of mucus by target organs is disrupted. An inflammatory process occurs in them, the surfaces of the epithelium begin to peel off. Opisthorchiasis can develop over a long period of time, because of it, the gallbladder ducts thicken, and cicatricial changes can also occur.

Diagnostics

It is easiest to diagnose chronic opisthorchiasis in the initial stages. The doctor can easily determine the presence of parasites or larvae in the feces, but this is possible only with an advanced stage of pathology.

Also, the diagnosis of this disease includes the following activities:

• Bile analysis;

• General blood analysis;

  

• Blood chemistry;
• RPHG - examination of the bile ducts using an endoscope;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
• Cholangiography;
• CT scan;
• Magnetic resonance therapy.

Drug treatment

For the treatment of chronic opisthorchiasis to be as effective as possible, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination. Only after that, the specialist will be able to draw conclusions about the state of your body and prescribe the most effective and suitable medications. They will be aimed at eradicating the infection.

The most popular are drugs called Praziquantel, Biltricid, Albendazole. They are taken for several days, the need for a second course is extremely rare.

The following medications may also be prescribed:

1. Antihistamines - prevent the development of an allergic reaction. Such drugs reduce discomfort, reduce the risk of asthma attacks. It is best to use drugs of the latest generation, as they are as safe and effective as possible.
2. Choleretic drugs - choleretics or cholekinetics. They normalize the outflow of bile in the gallbladder. They are also necessary when a secondary infection is attached to an organ or in the presence of calculi in it.
3. Broad-spectrum antibiotics - prevent the development of the inflammatory process, kill bacteria and infections in the body.

4. Immunomodulatory - increase the body's defenses, significantly accelerate the process of its recovery after an infection.

   

Therapeutic diet

In order for the treatment of chronic opisthorchiasis to bring the maximum effect, it is necessary to follow a special diet during therapy. Most often, doctors prescribe table number 5 to patients. At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to eat fatty, fried, smoked, spicy, spicy dishes. The basis of the diet should be made up of puree soup, vegetables, fruits, cereals and cereals.

Also in your diet should be present:

• Low-fat varieties of meat and fish;
• Yesterday's bread, crackers;

• Fresh vegetables and fruits;

  

• Cereals and cereals;
• Dairy products;
• Kissels and herbal decoctions;
• Vegetable salads;
• Legumes and cabbage;
• Low-fat dairy products.

Try at least for a while to give up the use of baked goods, sweets and high-calorie treats. All this negatively affects the work of the digestive tract.

Be sure to cut out soda, alcohol, and sugary juices from your diet.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of infection with opisthorchiasis or its overflow into a chronic form, it is necessary to undergo diagnostic examinations from time to time. They will help in the initial stages to determine the disease.

To assess the effectiveness of therapy, tests are taken only 3 months after the end of therapy. If it is found that not all parasites have been eliminated from the body, therapy is resumed. To protect yourself from infection with opisthorchiasis, follow preventive measures.

The most important recommendations include:

1. Refusal to drink from dirty sources or from the tap;
2. Use of protective gloves when cutting fish;
3. Refusal to eat raw fish;
4. Regular examination by a treating specialist;
5. Complete heat treatment of food;
6. Washing hands with soap before and after cooking;
7. Complete processing of boards and knives after cutting food;
8. Purchase of fish only in proven places.